Military claims victory over Boko Haram, says Shekau fatally wounded

The Nigerian Air Force has stated that it has killed some key leaders of Boko Haram and wounded many others.

According to the force in a statement late Monday night, those killed include the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, whom it claimed was killed during an air strike on Friday in Taye Village, Borno State.

The statement released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, reads in part, “We have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded”.

Usman described the operations by the force as “the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid”, and that it took place “while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village, Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.

The army spokesman also noted that the commanders confirmed dead include “Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others.

“While their leader, so called Abubakar Shekau, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders” adding that “several other terrorists were also wounded”.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on Monday announced the arrest of the spiritual leader of the terrorist group and other members.

The DSS said the arrests were part of “successes recorded in the ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade the capabilities of criminal gangs and syndicates in their hideouts across the Nigeria”.

A statement by the DSS said Mudaisiru Jibrin, also known as Namakele Alarama, suspected to be the spiritual leader of the Boko Haram was arrested on July 17 at Sauna quarters, Yankaba area in Kano State.